Sunday, October 01, 2006

Newark Area Open Studios

At all the weekends at the moment there's something called "Newark Area Open Studios 2006" on. I had some free time this weekend (where do the weekends go normally? I'm sure once I've got the house sorted I'll actually have time to do something at weekends again) so went along to one of the exhibitors. The idea is that various artists/crafters/designers all open their studios/homes up on four consecutive weekends, and people go round and look at the ones that interest them. There were three knitting people listed in the leaflet but I only had time to get to one, so I chose Kate Koppana, whose house isn't far from mine and who was described as a "knitter, spinner, dyer and weaver".

Kate seemed quite pleased to see me as no one else had visited that day, and only a few yesterday! I think last weekend she'd had a few more visitors. She showed me some beautiful work she'd done on mittens and legwarmers (above) when she lived in Helsinki and some of her antique equipment. The big thing in the foreground is an antique swift/skein winder. It can be collapsed right down and miraculously still has all its pieces!

Kate also had some beautiful hand-dyed and hand-spun skeins. I bought a couple but I think they're going to be a present so I won't display them here! ;-) She does natural dyeing using woad and other things grown on her allotment. Obviously a very talented lady as she has also written several books of poetry! I hope she gets more visitors next time she's open!

Also this week I got my fleece delivered from Woodlands Farm, along with my veg box. It smells very sheepy and has fantastic dreadlocks (it's Lincoln Longwool). Now all I have to do is learn what to do with it...

And I've got a letter from the hospital saying that my tonsillectomy is scheduled for 14th November. Annoyingly though this isn't an "official" notification. I wrote to the consultant last week to point out that it's very difficult to schedule work in when I don't know when I'm going to need 2 weeks off, so he wrote back and gave me this provisional date. Which will probably change. Unfortunately it also means I'm going to have to miss the Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate, which is about 10 days after. If I do have my tonsils out on 14th, then I won't be able to go into a crowded area like Harrogate that soon because of the risk of infection... GRRRRR. Of course, that means I'll have more money to spend on Skip North early next year though!

16 comments:

Rain said...

Wow, it looks like an interesting vist. Her stuff is lovely.

It's a shame you have to miss Harrogate, but at least you have your date through.

dreamcatcher said...

Fascinating stuff, I particularly like the antique swift.

Fingers crossed that the date doesn't chage for the op.

Anonymous said...

I love the Open Studio weekends - we have them round here too (not that I've been able to get to any for the past few years... small children and peoples treasured creations - not a good combination...)

Hope they keep pretty much to the date - it's a shame about Harrogate, but I'm glad it doesn't interfere with Skip North.

Anonymous said...

How interesting it must have been to see someone work in their own home. Sheme about Harrogat but at least you be fit for Skip North and can enjoy it doubly

Anonymous said...

Want to come and play in Harrogate next weekend? I'm at the Yorkshire Showground with Fred, Wye Sue and a few others

Hope the op goes well

Anonymous said...

Shame about Harrogate! - but at least you're finally going to get those tonsils dealt with (hooray!)

Fred said...

Write back and tell him you can't do that date as you need to play with balls of wool and then see what he says ;0)

T said...

Lovely photos. Mmm, that swift is interesting isn't it? I haven't got one at all yet, let alone antique! I'm glad you have your date :)

Seahorse said...

Kate's stuff looks really interesting! I clicked on the link and there are several people there I wouldn't mind paying a visit. Not that anyone would be very pleased if I descended with my mighty brood, lol! One day!

Hope the tonsils come out when they're supposed to.

Jamie said...

The Open Studio weekend thing sounds really interesting, her stuff was very lovely. Congrats on your back of wool! I haven't jumped in that deep yet. I think I'll stick with roving for a while.

So sorry to hear your surgery date messes up Harrogate, but in the long run, you really need those tonsils out. Right? I hope they keep your date, it really stinks waiting to get health issues cleared up on someone else's schedule.

KnitYoga said...

What an interesting visit you made. I adore those mittens! Shame about Harrogate but glad you've still got SkipNorth to look forward to. Good luck with the tonsillectomy. Let's hope the date isn't changed and you can get it over and done with at last.

Piglottie said...

Kate's stuff looks wonderful! And good luck with the spinning (its addictive you know). Shame about Harrogate but glad you can (almost) see light at the end of the tonscillitus torture trail!

Badger said...

Very interesting lady and items from the sound of things.

Missing Harrogate will be a shame, but at least it will be for the best reason.

Mary Anne said...

That was a lovely walk through a studio, Daisy! Thank you for sharing.

I'm glad to hear you have a date for your tonsil op and hope they follow through and don't change it.

acrylik said...

The Open Studio concept sounds fascinating and it certainly sounds as though you had a great time.

I hope that the date for your tonsillectomy is confirmed soon.

Juliet said...

The yarn open house looks brilliant - so much to see by the looks of it. Good luck with the tonsils